Oto- is found in a variety of medical terms, including otology, the study of the anatomy and diseases of the ear; otoscope, an instrument designed for visual examination of the eardrum and the passage of the outer ear; otolaryngology, the study of diseases of the ear and throat (larynx); otolith (Greek lithos, stone), each of three small bodies in the inner ear that are involved in sensing gravity and movement; and otoplasty (Greek plastos, formed, moulded), a surgical operation to restore or enhance the appearance of an ear or the ears.